What are the rules governing participation by foreign nationals (either through monetary donations or through volunteering time and labor)?
I have no idea what the rules and laws are in the United States governing what foreign nationals are allowed to contribute to presidential campaigns, either monetarily or through volunteer work.
Does anyone know?
I saw President Obama's press conference on TV today with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Curiously, towards the end of it, Obama thanked those Canadians that crossed the border to work on his campaign.
Is that legal?
I'm a Canadian citizen living in the U.S. And although I have a green card ("alien resident") I do NOT have dual citizenship. Athough I pay my taxes to the U.S. government, as far as I know I am not allowed to contribute monitarily to candidates or campaigns in the U.S. I say this because every time I get a phone soliticitation during campaigns asking for money that as soon as I tell them I am a foreign national and not a U.S. citizen, it abruptly ends the call.
Perhaps I'm allowed to volunteer my time (stuffing envelopes, etc.) but I'm not even sure about that. But are non-residents, non-citizens allowed to do even that?
'Cause if they aren't then Obama today thanked foreign nationals for participating in an illegal activity.
UPDATED:
There appears to be an exception. Foreign nationals (at least in the case of students working on presidential campaigns) appear to be allowed to contribute volunteer work as long as they are not compensated:
See "Volunteer Activity" at: http://www.fec.gov/...